Duane Percox wrote:
>
> In todays local newspaper I found a full page ad from ibm for the as/400.
>
> The heading, in 3-inch type:
>
> 64-bits.
> No buts.
[snip good stuff on the AS/400]
 
The last time we upgraded our HP3000 (from a 70 to a 967, 5 years ago), IBM
didn't stand a chance, even through they tried *real* hard (they even offered
to donate a Mainframe, but we had to pay for the Computer Room conversion,
the software conversion, and even after that, the operating budget would have
bought a new HP3000 every year).  The AS/400 didn't scale that large (at that
time) and Powerhouse was brand new on it at the time.
 
We should be coming to the upgrade question again, in the next year or two,
and if decide we need a new box, IBM will be a much stronger threat at
64 bits, a very nice O.S. admin interface (I'm told), and Powerhouse
is much more mature on it (even though rather "different" - again as
I'm told).
 
Of course, we're also running a HPUX K400, so HP will also get a
consideration, but we're talking about our administrative systems on MPE.
Whereas we use Unix for email, the Web, and Computer Science (no databases).
Will MPE even be able to compete?  Of course, a 987/200 is real cheap (except
for the Cognos upgrade), but is there a future for MPE? If we decide
to undertake a major redesign of our Apps (the year 2000 is coming!), why
should we design it around MPE (and Powerhouse, for that matter)?
 
--
-- - - - Speaking for myself and not necessarily anybody else - - - - - -
Richard Gambrell        | Internet: [log in to unmask]
Mgr. Tech. Services     | POT:      504-483-7454     FAX: 504-482-1561
Xavier University of LA | Smail:    7325 Palmetto, New Orleans, LA 70125